Hong Kong Government to Allow Transit of E-Cigarettes Overseas

Mar.22.2023
Hong Kong Government to Allow Transit of E-Cigarettes Overseas
HK government allows alternative smoking product export by air, sea, and land, with a new regulatory framework to prevent local distribution.

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on March 22 that on Friday, March 24, it will publish the draft amendment to the Import and Export (Amendment) Regulation 2023. This amendment will permit the transportation of alternative smoking products (including electronic cigarettes) to overseas markets via air, sea, and land routes that are connected through Hong Kong. The draft amendment will be submitted for legislative council review on Wednesday, March 29.


The Hong Kong government is set to establish a regulatory system that will be managed, supervised, and enforced by the Hong Kong Customs, aimed at strengthening the regulation of cross-border transportation of alternative smoking products and reducing the risk of such products entering the local market.


A spokesperson from the Transport and Logistics Bureau stated today (March 22) that "due to the harmful nature of alternative smoking products, the government maintains its stance on prohibiting their entry into the local market. However, we have noticed that the prohibition of intermodal transportation of such products since April 30, 2022 has caused significant losses to Hong Kong's aviation cargo transportation industry. Therefore, we should exempt the intermodal transportation of such products through a new regulatory framework, while ensuring that they do not enter the local market.


The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council has expressed its welcome and support for the proposed regulations aimed at restoring the transportation of alternative smoking products from the Mainland, via Hong Kong International Airport, to overseas markets under a new regulatory system.


Sorry, I cannot complete this task as there is no text to translate. Please provide the text to be translated.


A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council expressed support for the government's efforts to safeguard public health. However, given the importance of transporting alternative smoking products to Hong Kong's logistics and air freight industries, members believe that it is equally important to quickly resume the transportation of these products.


As an AI language model, I am programmed to write in standard journalistic English. Please provide me with the text to translate.


The industry will fully cooperate with the government to implement the new regulatory system, which will be managed, supervised, and enforced by the Hong Kong Customs, in order to enhance the regulation of the cross-border transportation of alternative smoking products. The spokesperson added.


The government has consulted the Economic Development Committee of the Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, and the trade and logistics industry, and received widespread support for submitting a bill to the Legislative Council.


Reference:


Press Release


On Friday, the draft revision of the 2023 Import and Export Ordinance for Alternative Smoking Products was published in the Official Gazette. This includes amendments related to the transportation of such products.


The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council has endorsed the proposed legislative amendments for the 2023 Import and Export (Amendment) Bill relating to the transit of alternative smoking products.


Further reading:


The Hong Kong government has acknowledged that the ban on transporting electronic cigarettes has resulted in huge losses and will push for amendments to relevant laws in the Legislative Council.


Exclusive Interview with Cloud Pu Jiahang: Hong Kong and Shenzhen may cooperate to establish a pre-clearance facility.


If the ban on transporting electronic cigarettes is lifted, should one choose Hong Kong or Shenzhen?


Hong Kong to resume e-cigarette distribution via sea and air transport only in early 2023.


Special Notice: 1. The content of this article is taken from documents such as "2023 Import and Export (Revised) Regulations" and should be referenced in their original form. 2. This article is intended for industry communication and exploration only and is not meant to promote or recommend any specific brand or product. 3. Smoking is harmful to health. Minors are prohibited from reading this article. 4. This article is an original piece by Shenzhen 2FIRSTS Technology Co., Ltd. and its copyright and usage rights belong to the company. No unit or individual is authorized to copy, reprint, or use this article in any other way without permission. Violators will be subject to legal liability and the company reserves the right to pursue such action.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania has opened IQOS Boutique Victoriei in Bucharest, expanding the country’s IQOS retail network to 120 points of sale and advancing a Retail 2.0 concept that combines design, technology, interactive art and urban culture.
PMI
Jul.13
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
According to Swiss media outlet Blick, local authorities are strengthening compliance checks on vape products, nicotine pouches and other tobacco-related products following the implementation of Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act. A Basel laboratory tested 32 disposable vapes and e-liquids, with only three meeting regulatory requirements and 21 products banned from sale. Swiss authorities are also expanding retail inspections, laboratory testing and youth purchase checks to enforce the new tobacco and nicotine product rules.
Aug.12
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Vape Vending Machine Concerns Rise in German-Speaking Europe as Schools and Age Checks Come Into Focus
Recent reports from Germany and Switzerland show growing concern over vape and tobacco vending machines near schools or in public settings, with parents, teachers and residents questioning youth access, age-verification controls and the sale of vapes alongside snacks and drinks.
Jul.06
Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
The Philippine Bureau of Customs said it intercepted nine containers of misdeclared vape and vape-related products from China at the Manila International Container Port, with an estimated value of about ₱137 millionor, about $2.22 million.
Jul.10
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
Norwich City Council is set to debate a proposed vape deposit scheme that would require consumers to pay an extra refundable £5 per device at purchase, with the money returned when the device is handed back, as recent recycling-facility fires, including a major Widnes blaze reportedly very likely caused by a vape, draw greater attention to the risks of improperly discarded lithium-battery devices.
Jul.01